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We have heard and read a great deal about the many health giving benefits that gut microbes contribute to our physiology, including the absorption of nutrients from food, supporting our immunity and playing a part in our mood to name a few. But, a lesser known role of some of these microbes is in regulating circulating oestrogen levels, and so has been termed The estrobolome. 

I want to share a cautionary tale... Last week I was the victim of a bank scam - I got so close to transferring funds & I’m embarrassed to admit but want to share as a prime example of how when faced with a stressful situation; reasoning & judgement can easily become flawed: my amygdala was hijacked (along with a little bit of self-worth too!)

Tis’ the season where we start to talk about histamine - but i’m going to take the opportunity to explain some of the links we see between the effect female sex hormones have on mast cell (MC) behavior and corresponding release of histamine 

Methylation is a highly important process occurring billions of times every second in our cells. Methylation is a continuous cycle that is all about creating the ultimate “prize” - “methyl groups” - which is 1 carbon + 3 hydrogen atom.

Think about methylation as a game of pass the parcel, a methyl group being the parcel and specific genes (that code for enzymes of the same name) are the players. As the parcel is passed, methyl groups are created or donated, and the players (genes/enzymes) are the facilitators, keeping the continuous loop moving. When the “parcel” aka methyl group is added to something in the body - a hormone, enzyme, vitamin, we say it’s been “methylated” and results in a new structure and function. The functions of the newly formed structures can be broadly divided into either using or expelling for the benefit of optimal health. 

Tests most commonly used to assess Vitamin B12 status measure Total B12. However, not all B12 in the blood is available to be used by the body - say what?! Read on to find out more...

Blood sugar imbalances are often thought of as being an issue for diabetics, but blood sugar is generally not understood as being a cornerstone of care for other health symptoms like migraine, hot flushes, fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, skin breakouts, thyroid changes, weight gain….. to  name a few! 

We all need sugar in the blood – it is what fuels our muscles, brain and our red bloods, responsible for delivering oxygen - these cells rely on glucose for energy. A serious drop in blood glucose can result in seizures, coma, and even death. A persistent elevation in blood glucose leads to “glucose toxicity.” In the main the see-saw between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia occurs on a spectrum. Starting with erratic peaks and troughs, falling outside the narrow range of 4g, we call this dysglycemia. Then more consistently hyperglycemia, graduating towards insulin resistance, as cells and compensatory  mechanisms become worn out to  continual  hyperglycemia and  eventually diabetes and it’s complications.

My Pepper dog is snuggling in for January.... and with most of us now in tier 4 we have to follow her lead for a while longer too.

�� All viruses undergo mutations, but what we are seeing in this new variant is it’s far more transmissible, especially in the under 20’s and of course this has thrown up more questions and understandable apprehension. So, I’ve gone back over all the information that I’ve learnt since last April, and want to share with you, as being informed , helps to dispel fear.

Have you been hit yet by all the posts and adverts bringing lots of guilt and shame about the Christmas period of excess and leading you to believe you need to start the new year with a detox or weight-loss diet? I am still amazed by the amount of heralded professionals in the world of Nutrition and Functional medicine still touting the need for a New Year Detox. Do we actually need to punish ourselves with juice fasts, restriction and meal replacements? The answer is NO! There is a better way…

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in regulating the growth and specialization of virtually all cells in the human body, playing important roles in embryonic development, organ formation during fetal development, ovarian health, normal immune functions, and eye development and vision

Vitamin A is a generic term that refers to compounds found as preformed vitamin A (retinol) in animal products that include dairy, liver, and fish oils (hence the use of cod liver oil) and as provitamin A carotenoids in fruit and vegetables that include: Apricots, carrots, mangoes, pumpkin, squash (yellow and winter), sweet potato and green vegetables, such spinach and broccoli. Read on to find out more about the importance of Vitamin and to to find out how our genes can reduce the ability to convert beta-carotene.